Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his legislative agenda today in a speech in front of the Baton Rouge Press Club. Edwards says he’ll ask lawmakers in the spring to approve a pay raise for teachers and he’ll once again support legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage. Wage hike bills have been killed by the republican controlled legislature in years past, but Edwards says that will not deter him…
cut 13 (12) “…those individuals”
Edwards also asked Louisiana residents to pray for the families involved in last week’s wreck in Florida that killed five children from Marksville. We spoke with Marksville Mayor John Lemoine about the support they’ve received nationally….
cut 5 (11) “…country’s had”

State Police say a teenager was killed in a single vehicle crash in Franklin Parish on Sunday. Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says 16-year-old Angel Erwin of Winnsboro ran off the road for unknown reasons and hit a tree. A 15-year-old passenger in the vehicle was also seriously injured. Reichardt says impairment is unknown, but State Police has this message for motorists…
cut 11 (07) “…seatbelt”

Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider blames himself over failing to make the mortgage payments on his 57-acre land in Livingston Parish. The property has been seized and is up for auction January 16th. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Schnedier says he has until January 14th to make something happen and encourages his fans to help by buying items for sale on his website, john-schneider-studios-dot-com…
cut 8 (08) “…on that”

Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider says his Holden-based production studio was seized because he’s a lot more of a storyteller than he is a businessman. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “Im Jeff Palermo”  

51-year-old Meshell Hale of Slaughter has pleaded not guilty to charges that she poisoned her boyfriend to collect on his $10,000 insurance policy.  Investigators initially thought 41-year-old Damien Skipper had died of a heart attack in 2015, but police determined Hale had researched barium poisoning and purchased the chemical prior to his death, prompting a re-examination of the body of the victim.

A single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 135 in Franklin Parish on Sunday resulted in the death of a teenage driver and serious injuries to another teen. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 16-year-old Angel Irwin of Winnsboro overcorrected and hit a tree.  Reichardt says regardless of the holiday season a crash like this is tragic…

Cut 10 (09) “…party”

Gov. John Bel Edwards addressed the Baton Rouge Press Club today.  Among the topics of discussion, Edwards talked about legalizing sports betting in Louisiana. He says it will not lead to a major increase in state revenues, but it will allow our casinos to remain competitive

Cut 14 (10) “…sports betting”

Governor Edwards has been unsuccessful in his effort to increase the minimum wage, but he’ll try again this year. Edwards says this spring he’ll ask the legislature to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to eight dollars an hour by 2020 and $8.50 by 2021. He says the legislation is modeled after what Arkansas recently approved…
cut 12 (12) “…gone up”
A single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 135 in Franklin Parish on Sunday resulted in the death of a teenage driver. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 16-year-old Angel Irwin of Winnsboro over corrected and struck a tree…
Cut 9 (10) “…serious injuries″
A 15-year-old passenger also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

The fiery I-75 wreck in Florida last Thursday that killed seven, including five Louisiana children, has left the Avoyelles Parish town of Marksville in mourning. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

New Orleans native Patricia Clarkson took home her first Golden Globe last night as she won best supporting actress for her role in HBO’s Sharp Objects.

Marksville continues to mourn the deaths of five children from their Avoyelles Parish town. They were among the seven dead in last week’s fiery crash on a Florida Highway. A candlelight vigil is planned for 5:30 today at Marksville High School’s football field. The children ranged in age from 14 to 9.  Marksville Mayor John Lemoine says he knew four of the five children that died in the fiery crash.
Cut 4 (08) “…with the community.″
Former Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider has opened up about why his production studio in Holden was seized by the Livingston Parish Sheriff, saying plainly, that it’s his fault for not making the mortgage payments on the property. Schneider, who played Bo Duke on the hit show from 79-85, says he wants to make it clear that unlike many plots from Dukes, the seizure was not some nefarious, underhanded scheme from the local sheriff.
Cut 7 (11) “…in trouble.”
The 57 acre property will be up for auction on January 16.

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared teen vaping an epidemic as an estimated 2.1 million middle and high school students use the electronic cigarettes. Assistant State Health Officer, Dr. Joseph Kanter, says just because it’s not a traditional cigarette, doesn’t mean it’s good for your health, particularly if you’re young.

Cut 10 (12)   “…and younger.”
Kanter says it’s also troubling to see e-cigarette companies target young people in their advertising.

Governor John Bel Edwards speaks at the Baton Rouge Press Club today where he’s expected to talk about his accomplishments during his first three years in office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 14 (09) “….he’ll talk about”

The U.S. Surgeon General says a record 2.1 million American teenagers vape. Matt Doyle spoke with a local health expert about this epidemic.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Marksville continues to mourn the deaths of five children from their Avoyelles Parish town. They were among the seven dead in last week’s fiery crash on a Florida Highway. A candlelight vigil is planned for 5:30 today at Marksville High School’s football field. Marksville Mayor John Lemoine says the town is reeling from the devastating news…
Cut 3 (10) “…everybody knows everybody.”

Former Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider has opened up about why his production studio in Holden was seized by the Livingston Parish Sheriff, saying plainly, that it’s his fault for not making the mortgage payments on the property. Schneider says the recording and filmmaking hub has been on hard times since the 2016 floods, but…
Cut 6 (09) “…the world”
The 57 acre property will be up for auction on January 16.

Governor John Bel Edwards will address the Press Club today.  Kevin Barnhart speaks with political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on what we’ll expect to hear.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

And in Avoyelles Parish, a candlelight vigil takes place tonight at 5:30 at the football field at Marksville High School as the town continues to grieve the loss of five children killed in a fiery crash in Florida.

The Saints will face the Eagles in the Dome Sunday after Philly’s stunning 16-15 Wildcard playoff  upset of the Bears in Chicago last night.

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared teen vaping an epidemic as a report says an estimated 2.1 million middle and high school students are using the electronic cigarettes, and 10.7 million kids say they’ve tried them. Department of Health Assistant State Health Officer, Dr. Joseph Kanter, says it took decades to crush teen smoking, and this new trend could see it come back.

Cut 11 (10) “…we’ve seen”

Kanter says a poll showed two thirds of those teen vapers were not aware of the negative health effects.

The village of Turkey Creek in Evangeline Parish now holds the distinction of having the youngest mayor to hold the office in the history of the state.  Phillip Cavins, who is 23-years-old , says growing up, he’s always had an interest in government and politics.

Cut 7 (11) “…went in unopposed.”

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared teen vaping an epidemic with an estimated two-point-one million middle and high school students using e-cigarettes. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says traditional cigarettes are banned from promoting in a way that attracts kid, but e-cig companies are not…
cut 12 (11) “….packaging”

If you are traveling through the Lake Charles area be advised one lane is closed in each direction On I-210 as crews begin the process of re-decking the Prien Lake Bridge. State transportation department spokesperson Tammy York says today begins the first phase of a two-phase project…
cut 5 (09) “…side of the bridges”
Significant delays are expected and construction is expected to take one year.

At 23 years of age, the village of Turkey Creek in Evangeline Parish has the youngest mayor in the state’s history. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

New Orleans native Patricia Clarkson took home her first Golden Globe last night as she won best supporting actress for her role in HBO’s Sharp Objects.

And in Avoyelles Parish, a candlelight vigil takes place tonight at 5:30 at the football field at Marksville High School as the town continues to grieve the loss of five children killed in a fiery crash in Florida.

Governor John Bel Edwards speaks at the Baton Rouge press club today. He’s expected to talk about his plan on giving teachers a pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars a year…
cut 15 (10) “…of the question”
That’s political analyst Bernie Pinsonat. Edwards has said increased revenues could be one way to get teacher salaries closer to the Southern Regional Average.

A recent report found that 10-point-seven million kids between the ages of 12 and 17 tried an e-cigarette, and Assistant state health officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter, says even worse, two-thirds of them were not aware that e-cigs are harmful to their health. Kanter says it took decades to crush teen smoking, and this new trend could see it come back.
Cut 11 (10) “…we’ve seen”

The I-210 bridge in Calcasieu Parish is down to one lane in both directions as a result of repair work. State transportation department spokesperson Tammy York recommends drivers find another route to avoid the area…
cut 6 (09) “…higher traffic volume”
Starting tomorrow, I-210 westbound will be closed from 9 PM until 4 AM Monday through Thursday nights.

Twenty-three-year-old Phillip Cavins is starting his term as mayor of Turkey Creek and it’s believed he’s the youngest mayor in Louisiana’s history…
cut 9 (12) “….the same time”
Cavins ran unopposed and hopes to bring more businesses to the Evangeline Parish town. He also needs to appoint a new police chief.

Governor Edwards will address the Press Club today. Kevin Barnhart speaks with political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on what we’ll hear.
voicer 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Marksville continues to mourn the tragic deaths of five children who were killed in a multi-vehicle wreck on a Florida highway Thursday. A candelight vigil is scheduled for tonight at 5:30 on the football field at Marksville High School. Several religious leaders are expected to speak.

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared teen vaping an epidemic as an estimated 2.1 million middle and high school students use the electronic cigarettes. Assistant State Health Officer, Dr. Joseph Kanter, says just because it’s not a traditional cigarette, doesn’t mean it’s good for your health, particularly if you’re young.
Cut 10 (12) “…and younger.”
Kanter says it’s also troubling to see e-cigarette companies target young people in their advertising.

Twenty-three-year-old Phllip Cavins is believed to be the youngest mayor in the history of the state as he holds the top government spot in the Evangeline Parish town of Turkey Creek…
cut 8 (09) “….take this step”
Cavins says his goal is to bring more businesses to Turkey Creek and he also has to appoint a new police chief.

Governor John Bel Edwards addresses the Baton Rouge Press Club today as he begins the final year of his current term….
Cut 13 (09) “…should be reelected.”
That’s Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat, who says Edwards’ will tout his administration’s ability to stabilize the budget and his goal to give teachers a pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year.

Construction begins today to improve the integrity of the I-210 Prien Lake Bridge in Calcasieu Parish. The 35-million dollar project is expected to take one year to complete. State transportation spokesperson Tammy York says motorists need to be prepared for a slowdown in the area.
Cut 4 (12) “…9PM to 4AM.”
York says motorists should use L-A 12 and US-190 as alternative routes.

The U.S. Surgeon General says a record 2.1 million American teenagers vape. Matt Doyle spoke with a local health expert about this epidemic.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”